The New Mexico Higher Education Department has extended the application deadline for its Veterinary Loan Repayment Program, giving eligible applicants an additional month to submit their materials.
The new deadline is Aug. 1, extending the previous July 1 deadline.
Department spokesperson Auriella Ortiz said the extension intends to increase awareness of the program and encourage more eligible veterinarians to apply. “Because food animal veterinarians play a critical role in supporting New Mexico’s agricultural communities, we want to ensure eligible applicants have sufficient time to learn about the opportunity and submit a complete application,” Ortiz said.
The program provides student loan repayment assistance to veterinarians who practice in high-need rural, frontier, and tribal communities across New Mexico. Eligible participants may receive up to $80,000 in loan repayment assistance.
Recipients must commit to providing veterinary services for at least four years in rural New Mexico, focusing on food-producing livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats and poultry.
The Higher Education Department administers the program to help address the state’s ongoing shortage of food animal veterinarians, particularly in rural and agricultural communities.
Since its launch, the initiative has awarded loan repayment assistance to eight veterinarians, helping broaden access to veterinary care in underserved areas while supporting New Mexico’s agricultural economy.
Under the program, participants receive $15,000 annually during each of their first two years of service and may receive up to $25,000 annually during each of the following two years, for a maximum award of $80,000.
Interested individuals must submit applications through the New Mexico Higher Education Department’s website by Aug. 1.
